Skinny - Last season was almost a dream come true for Bama fans. Their team seemed to finally turn the corner for good for the first time since Gene Stalling led the Crimson Tide to their last National Championship. The foundation of last year's team remains with Cody and McClain returning to lead a stellar defense. John Parker Wilson is gone, as is Glen Coffee. While the quarterback situation isn't secure yet, the running back position is as sophomore Mark Ingram returns after a great season for a freshman back in the SEC. The Alabama program is making its way back to where it was in the Bear Bryant era, but there is work to be done if they want to get there. Alabama avoids both Florida and Georgia, but their opening game against non-conference opponent Virginia Tech could dictate Bama's national title aspirations.
Strength - Terrence Cody
Terrence Cody is the true definition of clogging up the middle (he's listed at 6'5"/365 on the official Alabama website). Cody's size and ability requires double teams opposing lines, which allows Alabama to thrive in the 3-4 defense. The linebackers are able to control the line of scrimmage and push the offense backwards. Cody's presence is what affects the game, not his statistics. Cody had only half a sack last season, but its what he does in the middle that opens up the play for the rest of the defense. With Deaderick returning at one end position and Washington getting experience in all 14 games last season at defensive end, I expect Cody's sack output to be about 3 this season. Defensive tackles aren't known for their gaudy stats, but they sure are appreciated by the rest of the team. Games are won in the trenches and that is where Bama will thrive on the defensive side of the ball.
Weakness - Quarterback
Greg McElroy will have the inside track to the starting position for the Tide, as long as he can hold off redshirt freshman Star Jackson and true freshman AJ McCarron. McElroy only threw 11 passes last year as Wilson's back up and only has 20 career attempts, so the experience is not there. McCarron showed some flaws in the Army All-American game practices and may be a bit raw, so he is expected to take a redshirt year before he challenges McElroy and Jackson for the starting position. Jackson is reported to have 4.5 speed from various media outlets and should provide a good contrast to McElroy and it will be up to Saban on what type of quarterback Alabama will use this season. Whoever gains control will have a very good back in Ingram and a high caliber receiver in Julio Jones.
Key Game - 10/10/09 @Ole Miss
This game will have a big influence on who wins the SEC West and who clinches the coveted spot in the SEC Championship game. Alabama will have their hands full playing this game on the road against a good quarterback in Jevan Snead, but the Bama quarterback should have enough experience before this game considering the opener against Virginia Tech to be ready for the competition.
Key Player - Mark Ingram
Ingram was very, very good as a freshman and was a great compliment to the now departed Glen Coffee. He had 728 yards and 12 TDs as a freshman and can only build on those numbers this year as the feature back. However, other teams may key on the run considering the inexperience at quarterback and Ingram loses one of the top lineman in the game last year in Smith. If Ingram becomes the superstar he has the potential to be it may be a long season for Alabama opponents.
Impact Freshman - Trent Richardson
Predicted SEC finish - 1st (West)
Top 5 Players
1. LB Rolando McClain
2. DT Terrence Cody
3. WR Julio Jones
4. RB Mark Ingram
5. G Mike Johnson
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